Yarn conditioning process and composition therefor



Patented Feb. 20, 1940 UNITED STATES YARN connmomrm rnocnss mCOMPOSITION THEREFOR No Drawing. Application December 16, 1938, SerialN0. 248,199

18 Claims.

This invention relates to the conditioning of textile yarns and moreparticularly to the conditioning of filaments and yarns composed oforganic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetate, cellulosepropionate, cellulose acetate propionate, and cellulose acetatebutyrate, to render them more amenable to textile operations such asknitting and the like.

As is well known in the manufacture of yarns. particularly thosecomposed of or containing cellulose organic derivatives, it is necessaryto treat .the yarn in order to reduce the tendency toward breakage ofthe individual filaments or fibers when they are subjected to variousmechanical strains and to lubricate the yarn in order to facilitatehandling in such operations as spinning, twisting, winding, and reeling.It is also necessary to treat yarn to adapt it for use as warp orfilling or for, the manufacture of various types of knitted fabrics. Inknitting, it is particularly important that the yarn be soft and pliablein order that it may conform readily to the contour of the needles andthus produce a closely knit fabric free from such defects as stitchdistortion, "pin holes, laddering, and the like.

Heretofore it has been 'proposed to employ softening agents such as,polhydric alcohols and similar agents as ingredients of yarnconditioning or lubricatingformulas, generally in connection withmineral, animal or vegetable oils. It has been found, however, that mostof the known softening agents and the various formulas containing themhave certain drawbacks, one of themost serious of which is high vaporpressure, and -in some cases too drastic a solvent action on the yarn.Many of such agents possess slight or insufficient solvent power for thelubricants with which they are used, and it is accordingly necessary toemploy blending agents or emulsifying agents in order to obtain operableyarn treating formulas. In addition, many of the known softening andlubricating agents are insufficiently soluble in water to permitsatisfactory removal by aqueous scour baths.

This invention has as its principal object to provide an entirely newclass of yarn conditioning agents which are particularly adapted for thetreatment of yarns composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose and capable of lubricating, softening and rendering such yarnsmore amenable to knitting and other textile pperations. A further andspecific object is to provide a class of conditioning agents whichaugment or assist the lubricating action of vari- PATENT. OFFICE ouslubricants when applied to such yarns. A still further object is toprovide yarn softening and lubricating formulas which can be readilyremoved from theyarns by the usual scour baths. A still further objectis to provide an improvedmethod for the conditioning of yarns,

particularly those composed of or containing or-, ganic derivatives ofcellulose such as cellulose acetate, whereby the yarn is rendered softand pliable and capable of employment in a variety of textile operationswhere complicated designsor Where R, R R, and R are substituentsselected from the group consisting of aikyl, substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, and wherein R and R may also be hydrogen.

may be used as yarn conditioning agents and particularly as softeningagents, with or without the addition of animal, mineral, or vegetableoils, in the treatment of yarns composed of or containing organicderivatives of cellulose. I have found that these compounds whenemployed as described in the detailed examples set forth below have aslight solvent and/or softening action on cellulose organic derivativeyarns which renders such yarns soft and'pliable without at the same timehaving too drastic an action thereon. These ethers are characterized bytheir exceptional solvent powers which enable them to dissolve mineralsoils, blown and unblown drying and semi-drying vegetable and animal oilsand at the same time be appreciably soluble in water. This lastcharacteristic facilitates the removal of these compounds from textilematerials lubricated with them and the removal of mixtures of thesematerials with one or more of the common lubricants previously mentionedin the soap scouring operation usually employed in the textile industry.

I have also found glyceryl ether esters of the type described whenapplied alone or in conjunction with other lubricating agents have asoftening effect on filaments or threads composed of cellulose .acetate.Filaments or threads spinning solution itself. I have found that thesecompounds have exceptional solvent powers which enable them to dissolvemineral oils and blown and unblown, drying and semi-drying, vegetableand animal oils and accordingly they may be, and preferably are,employed as ingredients of yarn conditioning or lubricating formulas inconjunction with agents which function wholly or partially aslubricants.

In the following examples and description I have set forth several ofthe preferred embodiments of my invention, but they are included merelyfor purposes of illustration and not as a limitation thereof.

My invention will be more readily understood .by reference to thefollowing examples in which typical applications of the invention areset forth.

Example 1 1-methoxy-2,3-diacetoxypropane is applied to textile materials(silk cotton, wool, cellulose acetate, viscose, etc.) by means of abath, wick, roller, spray, etc. to facilitate their knitting, weaving,spinning, and the like. If the yarn is intended primarily for knitting,the amount of conditioning liquid applied may vary from 4-25% by weightof the yarn. If the yarn is intended primarily for weaving, the amountof conditioning liquid applied may vary between 1-5% by weight of yarn.

Example 2 A conditioning liquid is made up as follows:

I Per cent 2-methoxy-1,3-diacetoxy '70 Olive oil- 30 and applied totextile materials such as silk, wool, cellulose acetate, viscose, etc.,as described in Example 1. If the yarn is intended primarily forknitting the amount of conditioning liquid applied may vary from 4-25%by weight of the yarn, and if for weaving between 1-5%. Celluloseacetate filaments or fibers treated as described above are quite softand pliable and give improved results in various textile operations suchas weaving, knitting, etc.

Other examples of yarn conditioning compositions which may be applied tovarious types of yarns, particularly those composed of or containingcellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetatebutyrate, and similar cellulose organic acid esters in accordance withmy invention and which render such yarns soft and pliable and especiallywell adapted for various textile operations, particularly knitting, areas follows:

Example 3 A conditioning liquid is made up as follows:

1-ethoxy-2,3-diacetoxypropane 60 Blown olive oil 40 Example 41,2-dimethoxy-3-acetoxy propane 70 Light mineral oil 30 Example 51-3-dimethoxy-2-acetoxy propane 30 Neat's-foot oil 70 I Example 61,2-diethoxy-3-acetoxypropane Blown neats-foot oil Sulfonated olive oil20 White mineral oil 10 Oleic acid 10 Ethanolamine 3 Water 7 Example 7Glyceryl-a-methyl-fl- -dilactate or propionate 20 Sperm oil 60 Laurel 20Example 8 I 1-fl-ethoxyethoxypropane-2,3-diacetate 50 Blown sperm oil 30Sulfonated castor oil 20 Example 9 1,2-di-p ethoxy-p-ethoxypropane-3-oleate '70 Blown tea seed oil 30 Example 10 A 20% solution ofcellulose acetate in acetone in which is incorporated 125% by weight ofthe cellulose acetate of is extruded through fine orifices into anevaporative atmosphere. The filaments thus produced are wound, ortwisted and wound, Yarns produced from filaments thus prepared arepliable and suitable for knitting.

Example 11 Diglycolate of glycerol-a-benzyl ether 10 Sulfonated oliveoil 5 Water 80 Gelatin 5 I Example 12 Dilevulinate of glyceryl-a-methylether 10 Diethylene glycol 5 Water sol. cellulose ester or ether 5 Water80 Any of the above compositions may be applied to the yarn intended foruse in circular knitting by means of a bath, wick,'spray, roller, pad orany suitable means. The amount of conditioning liquid applied may varybetween 525% by weight of the yarn. Usually, however, the amount ofconditioning liquid applied is about 10-15% by weight of the yarn. Yarncomposed of cellulose acetate conditioned as described above givesexcellent results when used in the circular knitting process.

As will be apparent from the above examples and description theconditioning agents of my invention may be applied by a wide variety ofmethods. For example, I may employ the agent as an ingredient of thespinning dope from which the filaments are formed, the amount of theagent so employed depending upon a number of factors, such as theparticular cellulose derivative used in making the yarn, the solvent orsolvent combination used in making up the spinning solution, and thedegree of softness or pliability desired in the yarn, etc.

If the conditioning agent is to be applied to the yarn after spinning,this may be done by bringing the yarn in contact with a wick. roll. orfelt wet therewith, or the liquid may be applied by immersion, spray, orotherwise. The particular point at which the liquid is applied may vary.It may, fbr example, be applied to the yarn inside or outside thespinning cabinet, between the guide and godet roll, between the godet orother roll or guide and the point of winding and/or twisting. In somecases, the liquid may even be applied to the yarn after winding ontocones, spools, bobbins, or the like or by the so-called "bobbin tobobbin method. In the case of staple fiber manufacture, the liquid maybe applied to the yarn prior to, or after cutting into staple lengths.

The amount of the agent so employed will vary widely depending upon theresults desired, the specific nature of the material towhich the agentis applied, the use to which the yarn is eventually to be put and otherfactors. For example, in a given case where a cellulose organic acidester yarn such as yarn composed of cellulose acetate, is intended forknitting, about 4 to 25% or more by weight, based on the weight of thedry yam, may be satisfactory, while if the yarn is intended for weaving,the amount may vary between about 1 and 5%.

Although in the above examples I have referred primarily to yarntreating compositions containing only the conditioning agent and an oil,other ingredients such as solvents, non-solvents, emulsifying agents,blending agents and the like, may be added within the scope of myinvention. Likewise, various dyes or other coloring matter may beincluded in case it is desired to permanently or fugitively tint or dyethe material undergoing treatment.

Although I have found it convenient to illustrate my invention byreference to compositions containing specific percentages of the variousingredients, these percentages may vary widely depending upon theparticular purpose for which the composition is intended. For example,if it is desired to control the solvent or softening action of theconditioning agent, the amount of the agent may be adjusted as, forexample, by reducing the amount of the agent and correspondinglyincreasing the amount of oil or other ingredient.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to thetreatment of yarns composed of organic derivatives of cellulose such ascellulose acetate, the conditioning agents and formulas described hereinare applicable to the conditioning of many other types of cellulosederivative yarns such as those composed of or containing cellulosepropionate, cellulose butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, celluloseacetate butyrate, ethyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, benzyl celluloseand others, as well as to the conditioning of silk, wool, cotton,viscose and other natural or artificial materials.

The term "yam as used herein and in the claims is to be understood asincluding a single filament, a plurality of filaments associated intothe form of a thread, either of high or low twist, single or multiplethreads associated or twisted together, composite threads composed of a.mixture of natural and artificial filaments or a composite thread formedby twisting together individual strands of natural or artificialmaterials, as well as cut staple nbers produced from natural and /orartificial filaments or threads and spun yarn produced from such staplefibers.

As indicated above, the yarn conditioning agents of my invention areexceptionally good solvents for a wide variety of mineral, blown andunbiown, drying and semi-drying animal and vegetable oils such ascottonseed, olive, castor, neatfs-foot, sperm and other oils. Thisenables them to be used with any of such oils in making up a variety ofyarn treating formulas of varying composition.

The yarn conditioning method and compositions of my invention possessmany outstanding advantages. The fundamental and outstandingcharacteristic of the agents employed in accordance with the inventionis their ability to soften yarns, especially those composed of orcontaining organic derivatives of cellulose such as cellulose acetateand render them soft and pliable and amenable to various textileoperations, especially operations such as those involved in weaving andknitting where complicated designs or stitches are employed, without toodrastic an action on the yarn material. Another outstandingcharacteristic of these compounds is their exceptional solvent power fora wide variety of mineral, animal, and vegetable oils and their abilityto act as lubricating assistants in conjunction with these oils whenapplied to such yarns. In addition, due to their solubility in water,they may be readily removed from yarns and fabrics by means of the usualaqueous scour baths. By employing the yarn conditioning agents andmethod of my invention as herein described, one is enabled to obtainhighly satisfactory results in the manufacture of yarns and wovenfabrics and especially the production from these yarns of closely knitfabrics free from defects such as pin holes, stitch distortion,laddering and the like.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. The process of conditioning yarn to render it more amenable totextile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like,which comprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening compositioncontaining as its essential lubricating and softening component aglyceryl ether ester having the general formula:

rho-03 H:C0G o-m where R and R are substituents selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, andwherein R and R are substituents selected from .the group consisting ofalkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups and hydrogen.

2. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing organicderivatives of cellulose to render it more amenable to textileoperations including knitting, weaving, spinning and the like, whichcomprises applying thereto a lubricating and softening compositioncontaining as its essential lubricating and softening component aglyceryl ether ester having the general formula:

HaC-OR 110-0 E (or -c 0R*) H2o-o-o O-R where R and R are substltuentsselected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl,

cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, and wherein R and R are substituentsselected from the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl,cycloalkyl, and aryl groups and hydrogen.

3. The process of conditioning yam composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, which comprises applyingthereto. a lubricating and softening composition containing as itsessential lubricating and softening component a glyceryl .ether esterhaving the general formula:

where R and R are substituents selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, and wherein 1'1.and R are substituents selected from. the group consiting of alkyl,substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups and hydrogen.

4. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containing as itsessential lubricating and softening component a glyceryl ether esterhaving the general formula:

where R and R are substituents selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, and wherein R andR are substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl,substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups and hydrogen, and atextile lubricant.

5. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containing as itsessential lubricating and softening component l-methoxy-2,3-diacetoxypropane.

6. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and softening composition containing as itsessential lubricating and softening component 1,3-dimethoxy-2-acetoxypropane.

7. The process of conditioning yarn composed of or containing celluloseacetate to render it more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, which comprises applyingthereto a lubricating and. softening composition containing as itsessential lubricating and softening component diglycolate ofglycerol-u-benzyl ether.

8. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns more amenable to textileoperations including knitting, weaving, spinning, and the like,-whichcomprises a glyceryl ether ester having the general formula:

Inc-on HO-OR (or --o -4:)

H|O0-C0-R where R and R are substituents selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, andwherein R. and R are substituents selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups and hydrogen.

9. A conditioning agent for rendering textile yarns composed of orcontaining organic derivatives of cellulose more amenable to textileoperations including knitting, weaving, spinning, and

the like which comprises a glyceryl ether ester having the'generalformula:

the group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and arylgroups, and wherein R? and R are substituents selected from the groupcon sisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and arylt groupsand hydrogen, and a textile lubrican 10. A conditioning agentforrendering yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate moreamenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving, spinning,and the like, containing 1-methoxy-2,3-diacetoxy propane.

11. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns composed of or containingcellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, containing1,3-dimethoxy-2-acetoxy propane.

12. A conditioning agent for rendering yarns composed of or containingcellulose acetate more amenable to textile operations includingknitting, weaving, spinning, and the like, containing diglycolate ofglycerol-m-benzyl ether.

13. Textile yarns amenable to textile operations including knitting,weaving, spinning, and the like impregnated with a lubricant containingas its essential lubricating and softening component a glyceryl etherester having the general formula:

where R and R are substituents selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, and wherein R andR are substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl,substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups and hydrogen.

14. Textile yarns composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving,spinning, and the like impregnated with a conditioning agent comprisinga glyceryl ether ester having the general formula:

where R and R are substituents selected from the group consisting ofalkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups, and wherein R andR are substituents selected from the group consisting of alkyl,substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups and hydrogen.

15. Textile yarns composed of or containing organic derivatives ofcellulose amenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving,spinning, and the like impregnated with a conditioning agent comprisinga glyceryl ether ester having the general formula:

H|O-0R HO-OR (or -o 0-3) -where R and R are substituents selected fromthe group consisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and arylgroups and wherein R and 10 R are substituents selected from the groupconsisting of alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aryl groups andhydrogen, and a textile lubricant.

16. Textile yarns composed of or containing 15 cellulose acetateamenable to textile operations including knitting, weaving. spinning,and the like, impregnated with a lubricant comprising1-methoxy-2,3-diacetoxy propane.

17. Textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenableto textile operations 5 including knitting, weaving, spinning, and thelike, impregnated with a lubricant comprising 1,3-dimethoxy-2-acetoxypropane.

18. Textile yarns composed of or containing cellulose acetate amenableto textile operations 10 including knitting, weaving, spinning, and thelike, impregnated with a lubricant comprising diglycolate o!glycerol-a-benzyl ether.

JOSEPH B. DICKEY. I

